Why is my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater making bubbles in the pool?
During the initial startup of your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater, it's normal to see bubbles as air is purged from the solar collector. However, if the air bubbles persist, try adjusting the bypass valve. To determine if the issue lies with your pool pump rather than the solar system, turn the bypass valve to the 'Solar Off' position.
What to do if my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater system doesn’t seem to be working and the water isn't hot?
To troubleshoot your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater, first, turn off the pool pump midday during bright sunlight for about 10 minutes and feel the solar collector; it should feel warm. Then, turn the pool pump back on for 10 minutes and check the solar collector again; it should now be cool to the touch. This temperature difference indicates heat being added to your pool. Make sure the bypass valve is adjusted correctly to allow sufficient flow through the solar collector without causing excessive back pressure. If you have a high horsepower pump, a significant portion of water may be bypassed, which can cause the return water to seem only slightly warmer than the pool water.
What to do if my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater makes the pool too hot?
To reduce the heat from your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater, try running your pump when the sun goes down or bypassing the solar system using the bypass valve. In the hottest part of summer, running the solar system at night can cool your pool. Also, if your pool is too warm, remove the solar blanket at night to allow more heat to escape.
What to do if my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater has a leak in the solar collector?
If the tube leak in your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater is located at least 3 inches away from the header, it can be repaired using the supplied repair plugs. Please refer to the warranty for information regarding other types of damage.
What to do if the flow seems greatly reduced and the filter pressure excessive with my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater?
If you notice reduced flow and excessive filter pressure with your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater, check the following: 1. Ensure that the plastic caps were removed from the inlet and outlet before installation. 2. Verify that the inlet and outlet are properly connected. 3. Check the bypass valve adjustment. 4. Make sure the pump and filter are in good working condition. A one HP pump can handle installations up to 30 feet away from the pool equipment and one story high. If the panel is cool to the touch on a hot day, you are getting enough flow.
Why is my FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater not warming the pool enough?
Several factors can affect how well your FAFCO Swimming Pool Heater warms your pool: • A properly sized system should raise pool temperatures by 10-15 degrees during the swimming season. • Solar heating is less effective on cloudy or rainy days. However, after a couple of warm days, the water temperature should return to a comfortable level. • Ensure the solar collector receives sunlight throughout the day and isn't shaded. • If rack-mounted, the solar collector should face near south, tilted between 10º and 30º. • The solar collector must be fed from the bottom inlet. It will not function correctly if fed from the top. • Consider using a pool blanket to trap the solar heat captured during the day, complementing the solar system. • Adding an additional solar collector can also imp...
Determine the optimal number of solar collectors needed to heat your pool.
Select an unshaded location for the solar collector, considering orientation and surface type.
Carefully unroll the solar collector, remove shipping materials, and prepare for placement.
Evenly space mounting straps and anchor the mounting bases securely to the surface.
Connect the solar collector to the pool system using hoses or pipes and initiate operation.
Procedure to completely drain and isolate the solar collector to prevent freeze damage.
Step-by-step guide to repairing tube leaks using supplied repair plugs.
Details the conditions under which the warranty is valid for the solar pool collector.
Lists conditions and damages that are excluded from warranty coverage.
Outlines the process for repair or replacement of defective solar collectors.
The FAFCO Solar Bear Solar Pool Heater is designed for both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools, though it is not recommended for inflatable pools. This system utilizes solar energy to heat pool water, offering an environmentally friendly and cost-saving alternative to traditional energy sources.
The Solar Bear system operates by circulating pool water through a solar collector heated by sunlight. The warmed water then returns to the pool, increasing its temperature. The system includes one solar collector, mounting hardware, connection hardware, and an integrated bypass valve. For optimal performance, the solar collectors should be installed in an unshaded location that receives full sun for most of the day, ideally tilted 10 to 30 degrees towards the South. They can also be effective when facing West, East, or mounted flat. The solar collector inlet (from the pump and filter) must always be at the lowest point of the solar collectors, unless mounted flat.
The standard system includes a 4' x 20' wide solar collector with 1-1/2" barb connections. The package contains 12 mounting caps, 12 mounting bases, 6 mounting straps, 1 valve handle, and 20 rubber tube plugs. For flexible pool hose installations, 1-1/2" I.D. flexible hose is required. Ground spikes are needed for ground installations. For roof or rack mounting, 1/4" x 2" long outdoor screws and roof sealant are necessary, along with ground rack lumber and materials if building a rack. Tools required include a flat head screwdriver or 5/16" nut driver, and for roof/rack mounting, a power drill with a 1/8" pilot drill bit and a Phillips head bit. For rigid PVC pipe installations, additional materials include PVC primer, PVC cement, PVC fittings (two 1-1/2" PVC tees, six 1-1/2" PVC elbows), and 1-1/2" Sch.40 PVC pipe. Tools for rigid PVC include PVC pipe cutters or equivalent, a flat head screwdriver or 5/16" nut driver, and a power drill with a 1/8" pilot drill bit and a Phillips head bit. The solar collector ends have 1-1/2" barbed hose connections, or these can be unthreaded to use 1-1/2" MPT threads for rigid PVC pipe connections.
The installation process involves determining an unshaded location, rolling out the solar collector, strapping it down, and connecting it to the pool. For ground installations, the collectors can be laid on grass, gravel, or landscaping bark, or a wooden rack can be built. Roof installations require a composition asphalt or equivalent roof surface. The system is not suitable for uneven surfaces like tile or metal roofs. During startup, the red handle on the bypass valve should be parallel with the end-pipe (solar off position). After turning on the pool pump and checking for leaks, the red handle is slowly turned to the 'Solar On' position. Optimal flow is achieved when the filter pressure gauge increases by 5-7 psi. Air purging from the collector during startup is normal and will bubble out into the pool for a few minutes. For best results, the Solar Bear should be operated when the solar collectors are in the sun. Turning the pump and solar off at night, when cloudy, or raining can prevent cooling the pool. A pool blanket is recommended to retain heat and accelerate heating. If the pool becomes too warm, running the pump and solar at night can help cool it.
Annual winterization is crucial to prevent freeze damage, which is not covered under warranty. The solar collector must be completely drained and isolated before winter. This involves turning off the pool pump, plugging the pool inlet and outlet, disconnecting the solar collector, and manually lifting and tilting it back and forth until all water is drained. The drained solar collector should then be stored in a conditioned space (above 40°F). Open pipe or hose connections should be capped. Operating the solar system during freezing conditions is not an approved freeze-protection method, and methods like blowing lines with a shop vacuum or compressor are not guaranteed to remove all water. The manual also provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues such as the system not heating, insufficient warmth, bubbles in the pool, reduced flow/excessive filter pressure, and the pool being too hot. A tube leak in the solar collector can be repaired if the damage is at least 3" away from the header. The repair involves using supplied repair plugs, soapy water, a utility knife, and a small screwdriver or hex wrench. The procedure requires cutting out a 1 to 1-1/2" section of the damaged tube and inserting two plugs to isolate it. The product comes with a limited ten-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. The warranty requires proper installation according to instructions and routine maintenance. It does not cover conditions resulting from defects in non-SolarBear components, significant deviations from installation instructions, internal freezing due to improper maintenance, misuse, abuse, neglect, accidents, alterations, normal fading or minor exterior deterioration, or damage caused by natural phenomena. The warranty does not guarantee specific pool temperatures.
General| Brand | FAFCO |
|---|---|
| Model | Solar Bear |
| Category | Swimming Pool Heater |
| Language | English |
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